Have you ever visited a country and felt instantly at home? Japan was that for us. From the moment we touched down, we were in love, finding a connection to its quirky culture, its diverse beauty, and the centuries old...
Blog
Chris Ashton
Monasteries: A Heavenly European Hotel Alternative
One of the best things about travel is the planning phase, when you’re researching all the amazing places you might visit or the exotic foods you might try. Hotels, however, don’t always inspire the same level of...
Five Real Places That Inspired Studio Ghibli
I love Studio Ghibli. The first time I discovered them was at a Japanese film festival in my hometown. That film was the enchanting Spirited Away and it instantly captured my imagination. I went to track down some of...
The Crazy Rich Asians (And Aussies) Guide to Singapore
It’s been almost two years since my last visit to Singapore. That’s almost two years too long, if you ask me. While any chance of me remedying that is off the cards for a while yet, there is a way to keep the dream...
Review: Dolphin Feeding at Tangalooma Island Resort
It’s dusk on Moreton Island. The sky above us is fading to delicate shades of pink and purple. The lights of Brisbane are slowly twinkling to life in the distance. And I’m about to experience something I never thought...
Hotel Review: Flynn Cairns, A Crystalbrook Collection Hotel
Cairns is one of Australia’s most iconic destinations; a balmy, tropical paradise which acts as both gateway to Queensland’s tropical north and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Though 2020 threw a spanner in the...
Three Blue Ducks Launch New Byron Wine Bar, Oma
Byron Bay needs no introduction. Australia’s most easterly town, and currently the most northerly extension of Sydney given the number of city dwellers currently enjoying its many delights, has well and truly bounced...
New Campaign Launched to Help Samoa Recover From Pandemic
The worldwide tourism industry has been brought to its knees this year by the ongoing pandemic, and some of the hardest hit destinations have been islands which rely solely on tourism. Places like Samoa, a stunningly...
Eki-Ben: The Fastest Food in Japan
I’ve been to a lot of countries, but there’s one I keep getting drawn back to: Japan: For me, it offers the ultimate combination of natural beauty, history, culture, style and adventure. It’s also hands down my...
Four Great Rooftop Bars on the Gold Coast
Let’s face it, cocktails are always better when there’s a view involved. Whether it’s at the top of a beachfront hotel or just a level above the ground so you can enjoy a bit of people watching, there’s a high...
